Chapter 28

Inadvertently thinking of Daphne, Callista idly fiddled with her necklace and muttered.

『...By the way, isn’t it just hilarious, Merina?』

Merina, who had been quietly brushing Callista’s hair, lifted her gaze. Their eyes met through the mirror. Callista, who had been sulking just a moment ago, now wore a smile.

『No matter how noble a Thessalia is, a princess can’t help her fate.』

Her voice was laced with unmistakable pleasure. This time, Callista scrutinized her own queenly image in the mirror before turning to look at Merina.

『In the end, she was just the same as ‘us’. The only thing she can do is pray.』

There was no particular reaction from Merina, but Callista, lost in self-pity, continued to mutter.

『That day, you should have seen her expression as she climbed the watchtower. I mean, her husband is a murderous fiend who kills his own wife.』

The day the duel between Equilla and Johannes Tennan took place, the moment she saw Daphne’s deathly pale face, Callista had found herself laughing.

『A sixty-year-old man is a hundred times better. Would the next Equilla be any different? How has the noble Thessalia’s situation become more dreadful than my own.…』

It was because she felt a twisted sense of superiority, believing her own lot was at least better than Daphne’s.

『I am so looking forward to the upcoming summer festival.』

Callista was certain. Daphne’s misfortune would surely bring her great joy.

Merina looked at Callista’s excited face for a moment, then resumed brushing her hair, her hand having stopped at some point.

💎

Daphne, who had finished dressing since the early dawn, waited for the summer festival by taking a short walk in the garden with Thisbene. With time still to spare, she returned to her room and passed the time by braiding Thisbene’s hair.

Thisbene liked this peaceful time. If there was just one thing that bothered her….

When Daphne’s hands suddenly stopped, Thisbene’s eyes darted sideways before facing forward again. Soon, Daphne’s hands moved again, but it was only for that moment.

『…….』

Thisbene was certain. Daphne’s mind was definitely not here. Probably since yesterday. Did something happen? She was worried about Daphne, who looked somewhat dazed and anxious. Thisbene waited until the sounds of people outside had faded, then suddenly whispered.

『Daphne. Don’t push yourself too hard.』

She felt Daphne flinch behind her. A few beats later, Daphne asked back in a deliberately nonchalant voice.

『Push myself? Me?』

Her tone suggested she had no idea what Thisbene was talking about. As if she had expected Daphne’s reaction, Thisbene immediately replied.

『Yes.』

『...I’m fine.』

The reply came a little too late. Thisbene didn’t believe her. Daphne always said she was fine. Then, she would suddenly come down with a high fever. Thisbene abruptly turned around and placed her palm on Daphne’s forehead.

In Thisbene’s opinion, Daphne was unusually oblivious to her own condition. As if she couldn’t adapt to her suddenly weakened body. Daphne, who had become frail rapidly after starting to use medicinal herbs, would get seriously ill a couple of times a year, and Thisbene felt that today was one of those days.

『…….』

『See? I’m perfectly fine, right?』

Daphne flicked an eyebrow as if to say, “I told you so.” Thisbene replied with a displeased look.

『...You don’t have a fever. Not yet.』

『Goodness, This. Are you hoping I get sick?』

『Of course not, right?』

Daphne shrugged playfully. Only then did Thisbene seem a little relieved, but she added, still sounding worried.

『Still, don’t push yourself too hard.』

Daphne turned her head away as if she were getting annoyed, avoiding Thisbene’s touch.

『What have you been talking about this whole time? I’ve never pushed myself.』

Thisbene hesitated for a moment before asking.

『Then why have you been like this since yesterday?』

Daphne flinched without realizing it. The unfortunate incident from last night had come to mind. Daphne asked unintentionally.

『...How do I seem?』

『Anxious… and sad.』

And you always get sick when you’re like that.

Thisbene spoke honestly, and for a moment, Daphne couldn’t say anything back. And Thisbene was inwardly surprised. She had only spoken what she had vaguely thought, but Daphne’s eyes had wavered greatly, as if she had hit the mark.

『I meant you look like you have no energy.』

『...I’m just nervous. I guess being the center of attention doesn’t suit my constitution.』

Soon, Daphne deliberately made light of it, subtly changing the subject. Thisbene didn’t ask any further. She knew Daphne didn’t tell her everything, but she thought it was because she was still young and believed that one day, Daphne would tell her everything.

So for now, it was enough that she had offered to run away with her. Still, it was true she felt a little sad, so Thisbene muttered in a small voice.

『I want to become an adult quickly too.』

『…Huh?』

At that, Thisbene said very seriously.

『Then, I’ll be able to help you too, sister.』

After blinking her round eyes a few times, Daphne belatedly burst into laughter. Then, she completely messed up Thisbene’s carefully braided hair and threw her arms around her waist. Thisbene, startled, struggled, letting out a sound that was half laugh, half scream. Hugging Thisbene tightly, Daphne muttered.

『What am I to do, This? I really live thanks to you….』

『Daphne!』

『But what should I do? I wish you would never grow up.』

『What? I don’t want that!』

『But you’re already a big help now.』

Thisbene, who had been struggling, became still. Daphne giggled and whispered.

『It’s true. It’s enough.』

『...But I haven’t done anything.』

『I said it’s enough. So please grow up a little more slowly.』

Thisbene seemed to think about it for a moment. Finding her expression so cute, Daphne playfully pulled at Thisbene’s cheeks. Thisbene started struggling again. Daphne finally let Thisbene go and said.

『Still, you have to sleep alone today. You can do that, can’t you, Your Highness?』

It was a playful tone, treating her like a complete child.

Thoroughly offended, Thisbene shouted, 『Daphne!』 Daphne couldn’t hold it in and burst into laughter again.

Knock, knock.

It was then that a soft knock was heard. The door then opened, and Leah entered, leading a few servants.

『Your Highness.』

Seeing Daphne and Thisbene clinging together, Leah added as if it were a new and curious sight.

『Princess Thisbene, you were here too. You two are truly close, aren’t you? But Princess Daphne must now depart for the temple. Come, please get up now.』

She then gave various instructions to the servants behind her, finally entrusting them to take good care of Princess Thisbene.

All the while, Thisbene looked at Daphne as if she had something to say. From the earlier teasing, Thisbene’s face was flushed pink. To Daphne’s eyes, she was still very much a child. Daphne gently stroked Thisbene’s cheek and chuckled. At that, Thisbene whispered in a slightly shy voice.

『You look really pretty today, Daphne. Congratulations. I wanted to say that. Since, it’s your coming-of-age ceremony, after all.』

Daphne smiled a little awkwardly.

『...Thank you. You’ll be late, so stay well with the maids.』

Thisbene nodded in understanding, and only then did Daphne get up from her seat. With her movement, the pure white dress with long sleeves rippled like a wave. Unlike usual, her hair was intricately braided up, revealing the line of her face, jaw, and down to her neck and shoulders.

For a moment, the attendants and guards forgot court etiquette and couldn’t take their eyes off Daphne. Just then, Leah looked Daphne up and down from head to toe as if inspecting her and said.

『You are perfect.』

It was a comment she would have normally let pass without a thought, but a sudden surge of irritation made Daphne’s expression harden unintentionally. Leah simply thought Daphne was nervous.

『There is no need to be so nervous. You just have to kneel and sit, and the Queen will anoint your forehead with holy water and then give you a kiss. After that, a priestess of Enna will place a veil on you, and when the last young lady’s turn is over, a heifer will be offered at the altar. It’s nothing much, is it?』

『…Yes. Thank you.』

『Of course, being the recipient of the first veil, it’s understandable that you’d be nervous. But there is no greater honor. Now, you really must go.』